Tips and self care

The cure rate with topical agents alone is low. Approximately 15-30 per cent of fungal nail infections commonly reoccur. This can be frustrating for people, so pharmacy teams can share some self care tips to help manage and prevent infection, including:

• Adhere to treatment; it can take four to 12 months before improvement is seen
• Maintain short, dry and clean nails
• Wear cotton, absorbent socks
• Wear well-fitting shoes and consider replacing old footwear that could be contaminated with fungal spores
• Avoid going barefoot in shared spaces, such as locker rooms or swimming pools
• Maintain good foot hygiene, including prompt treatment if there are any signs of athlete’s foot
• Avoid picking at the skin around the nails or attempting to dig out an infection independently. This could cause skin damage and potentially spread the infection.¹